Shivji, NA, Lymn, JS, Meade, O and Watts, K (2021) Hearing the unheard voice-puberty experiences of young Pakistani men: A qualitative study. Journal of Adolescence, 88. 36 - 47. ISSN 0140-1971

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Abstract

Introduction
Puberty experiences of male adolescents can have significant impacts on physical and psychological health outcomes. This qualitative study explored the puberty experiences of young males in Pakistan, as there are limited accounts of what shapes these puberty experiences, especially for adolescent males living in a restrictive culture.

Methods
Twenty-two young Pakistani men (aged 18–21 years) from two urban sites in Karachi participated in individual face-to-face (n=19) and Skype (n=3) interviews. Qualitative thematic analysis was conducted using an inductive approach to identity and examine the patterns emerging from the data.

Results
Participants described puberty as a challenging phase for which they were unprepared with a combination of various socio-cultural factors exposing them to negative impacts. As a result, young men expressed feelings of anxiety, embarrassment and isolation. Societal and gender norms around masculinity, sexuality and the roles and responsibilities of young men had a significant impact on how participants experienced puberty. While negative reactions towards puberty were dominant, participants described adopting coping strategies (e.g. social support) to help them deal with negative experiences.

Conclusions
Findings highlight the significance of culturally appropriate puberty education and various facilitating factors that may improve the puberty experiences for future young men. While extending current literature, this study also identifies key factors that could inform the development of health promotion programmes, which may aid adolescent males’ puberty transition and positively influence their long-term health, well-being and identity.

Item Type: Article
Additional Information: The final version of this accepted manuscript and all relevant information related to it, including copyrights, can be found online at; https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S014019712100021X
Uncontrolled Keywords: Puberty, Adolescence, Young males, men, Pakistan, Social and masculine norms, Qualitative research
Subjects: R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine > RA0421 Public health. Hygiene. Preventive Medicine
R Medicine > RJ Pediatrics > RJ101 Child Health. Child health services
Divisions: Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > School of Primary, Community and Social Care
Depositing User: Symplectic
Date Deposited: 30 Apr 2021 08:53
Last Modified: 13 Jul 2021 11:21
URI: https://eprints.keele.ac.uk/id/eprint/9460

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